Under ‘protest’, PDP MLC Yasir Rishi skips oath-taking

STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: While as the recently elected five MLCs of BJP, Congress and National Conference on Thursday took oath of office and secrecy from Chairman of Legislative Council Haji Innayat Ali, PDP’s MLC-elect Yasir Rishi returned to his home without taking oath.
Rishi, who is the only one among the five who retired earlier this week but was re-elected for another term, was present when the swearing-in ceremony commenced in presence of senior PDP leader and Minister Abdul Rehman Veeri. However, he moved out immediately after he received a phone call which is believed to be from his party leadership.
After Rishi disappeared from the Legislative Council and reportedly went to a senior PDP leader and Cabinet Minister and another senior party leader, media persons failed to take his comment. However, he is said to have told a television correspondent that he was “on protest” against BJP’s “ditching” of the PDP.
Due to manipulation, BJP won three seats while as its coalition partner, PDP, got only one. During the election for two vacancies of Jammu, Haji Baqir Rizvi, an independent MLA from Zanskar and PDP’s associate member, voted for BJP instead of PDP’s Abdul Qayoom Dar. Dar was eliminated in the draw of lots as both he and BJP’s Randhawa got 29 votes each. This has led to fissures within the coalition.
Meanwhile, according to an official spokesperson, Chairman of Legislative Council, Haji Anayat Ali administered oath of office to five newly elected Members of Legislative Council (MLCs) at a ceremony held in the Council Lobby here. The Members who took oath today included, Aga Syed Mahmood Al-Moosavi (NC), Girdhari Lal Raina (BJP), Pardeep Sharma (BJP), Balbir Singh (INC) and Vikram Randhawa (BJP).
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Abdul Rehman Veeri, Minister for Cooperatives, Chering Dorjay, besides several former and sitting legislators of both the houses were present on the occasion.
Among others, Secretary Legislative Council, Abdul Majid Bhat, senior officers of Legislative Council and large number of supporters and relatives of the newly elected members of the Upper House were also present in the oath ceremony.